May 8th, 2014

Destination? 2014 MidAtlantic Wine + Food Festival, 50 Events, 23 Courses, 90 Chefs, 20 Winemakers, 6 Continents, From the Main Line to the Delaware Beaches, May 14 – May 18…One Unforgettable Week-end!

“There comes a moment on a journey when something sweet, something irresistible and charming as wine raised to thirsty lips wells up the traveller’s being.”  patrick macgill

“Cookery is not chemistry.  It is an art.  It requires instinct and taste rather than exact measurements.”  marcel boulestin

With that in mind and Southern Delaware as a journey my post begins….

In 2013 the MidAtlantic Wine + Food Festival began as an independent festival. It featured international vintners and chefs in collaboration with Delaware’s local talent. The festival would bring tourism to Delaware and also would increase awareness of this small state’s cultural assets.

The MidAtlantic Wine + Food Festival is a Delaware nonprofit.  A designted portion of this year’s festival proceeds will benefit 5 arts related beneficiaries throughout Delaware.  These are: CAMP Rehoboth, Christina Cultural Arts Center, Joshua M. Freeman Foundation, which operates the Freeman Stage in Fenwick Island, OperaDelaware, and the Smyrna-Clayton Heritage Association, which operates the historic Smyrna Opera House.

You have an open invitation to participate in as many events as you want.  All you have to do is visit htt://www.mawff.org.

The website has all the info. you will need and more.  It is very well detailed.  You can buy tickets through the website, as well.

This is a statewide event…..Southern Delaware is a culinary destination and the events coming to the Delaware Beaches are not to be missed.  So, what’s going on?

“Meet the Winemakers” – Saturday, May 17th – Eden located at 23 Baltimore Avenue in Downtown Rehoboth Beach – 3 award-winning winemakers will have an informal “up close and personal” type of meeting.  Very informal.  Tastings of each winemaker’s varietals will be accompanied by finger foods provided by Eden’s acclaimed chefs, Andy Feeley and Danielle Pamarello.  Stop by between 1:30 p.m. and 4:00 p.m.

The following notable winemakers are:

Regina Martinelli, Martinelli Vineyards, California – She comes from a lineage of farmers, starting with her Great Grandfather, Giuseppe Martinelli, who planted the family’s flagship vineyards in 1885.  The primary goal of Martinelli Winery is to hand-craft excellent wines born in their vineyards.

Tom Mortimer, La Cadeau, Oregon – Tom Mortimer and his wife, Deb, are the proprietors of Le Cadeau Vineyard. They manage the farming and development of the vineyard, the winemaking team, and the marketing of Le Cadeau to top restaurants and retailers in the U.S., Canada, Germany, and Sweden.  Le Cadeau Vineyard specializes in estate-grown Pinot Noir from the Chehalem Mountains AVA of Oregon’s Willamette Valley.

Jon Staenberg, Hand of God Wines, Argentina – Jon Staenberg and Santiago Achaval, one-time classmates at Stanford Business School, now partner in Hand of God wines in Mendoza, Argentina. Jon will pour from the inaugural vintages of this new winery, as well as wines from Achaval Ferrer.  Wine Advocate awarded 92 points to one of the wines from Hand of God.  Achaval Ferrer boasts four of the five highest-rated wines from Argentina, (receiving 99s and 98s) from Wine Spectator, and Achaval Ferrer is ranked the highest-rated Argentine wine to date by The Wine Advocate.

More info?  Please call Sue St. Laurent at 302-981-5849.

CULINARY COASTS EVENTS

Thursday, May 15th – FESTIVAL BREW LUNCH – Dogfish Head Craft Brewery – 11:30 a.m. in Milton, Delaware.  Sam Calagione moderates this 3-course lunch plus gives a tour.  Take home a bottle fresh off the line.  Menu highlights: Asparagus and Radish Salad, Woodgrilled Delaware Bay Rockfish.  Chef:  Brenton Wallace

Thursday, May 15th – A TASTE OF BRAZIL LUNCH – Lula Brazil – 11:30 a.m. in Downtown Rehoboth Beach.  This is Rehoboth’s newest international restaurant, opened by Meg Hudson, former owner of Domaine Hudson.  Lula Brazil’s focus will be authentic Brazilian seafood.  Chef: Abde Dahrouch.  Brazilian Winemaker: Patricia Carraro

Thursday, May 15th – THE FARMER MEETS THE FISHERMAN:  A Pop-Up Dinner – Magee Farm in Lewes – 6:30 p.m.  This is a 5-course down-home dinner, served family style.  Delaware-centric dishes.  Highlights: Lobster Roll Tartlet, OCMD Tuna.  Chefs:  James Beard Award winner, Matt Haley, Doug Ruley, Ronnie Burkle.  Winemakers:  Johan, Reyneke, Kerry Damskey, Manfredo Di San Bonifacio

Thursday, May 15th – THE ART OF FOOD – WINEMAKERS DINNER – Home of Chris Holt and Emory Bevill in Lewes – 6:30 p.m.  5 course inspired by Sussex County artists, on the farmhouse terrace.  Highlights:  Sous Vide Veal, Foie Gras Soup.  Chefs:  Jay Caputo, Ted Deptula, Lion Gardner, Jermaine George, Vince Trotta.  Winemakers:  Manu Muga, Tom & Deb Mortimer, Paul Colantuoni, Ira Goldberg

Friday, May 16th – TAPAS – RIOJA LUNCH – Ivy in Dewey Beach – 11:30 a.m. – With the Rehoboth Bay as the backdrop, enjoy 3 Riojas with authentic Sevillan tapas.  Menu highlights:  Blue Crab, Mushroom and Leeks in Phyllo, Cachorrena Soup.  Chefs: Peter McMahon, Javier Cuesta Munoz.  Winemaker:  Manu Muga

Friday, May 16th – I’LL HAVE WHAT SHE’S HAVING – LUNCH ADVENTURE – a(MUSE) located on Baltimore Avenue in Downtown Rehoboth Beach – 11:30 a.m.  Orgasic and ecstatic are words often used by diners in James Beard nominee Chef Hari Cameron’s restaurant.  Menu highlights: Local Grass Fed Steak Tartare, Steamed Snake Head Fish and Squid.  Chefs: Hari Cameron, Alexandra La Noue-Adler.  Winemakers: Nik Weis, Carol Shelton

Friday, May 16th – WINEMAKERS DINNER: BAREFOOT BLACK TIE – Home of Alex Pires in Dewey Beach – 7:00 p.m. – Take off your shoes!!  Enjoy 5 courses made by 2 global + 3 beach chefs.  Menu highlights:  Oxtail Tartlet, Jerusalem Artichoke Soup.  Chefs: Peter McMahon, Tim McNitt, Ron Duprat, Lion Gardner, Javier Cuesta Munoz.  Winemakers:  Nik Weiss, Carol Shelton

Saturday, May 17th – WINEMAKERS LUNCH IN REHOBOTH – Eden Restaurant located on Baltimore Avenue in Downtown Rehoboth Beach – 11:30 a.m.  A taste of heaven in 3 courses.  Menu highlights:  Apple Foie Gras Eclair, Pistachio Pavlova.  Chefs: Andrew Feeley, Danielle Panarello, Ron Duprat.  Winemakers:  Regina Martinelli, John Staenberg, John Geber

Saturday, May 17th – AMERICAN EXPRESS 1000 POINT WINE TASTING:  South – Eden Restaurant located on Baltimore Avenue in Downtown Rehoboth Beach – 3:00 p.m. – A flawless 100 points…times 10 wines.  A perfect tasting in a heavenly setting.  Guests at concurrent North and South events will be tasting an almost entirely different selection of 100 point wines!

Saturday, May 17th – WINEMAKERS DINNER AT THE BEACH – Home of Steve and Kathy McGuiness in Rehoboth Beach – 6:30 p.m.  3 global + 1 national + 2 beach chefs create 5 courses, paired with wine.  Highlights: Smoked Mozzarella Polenta Fritters, Monkfish with Pancetta.  Chefs:  Peter McMahon, Robert Staegemann, Ron Duprat, Paul Gallo, Erik Niel, Jermaine George.  Winemakers:  Jon Staenberg, John Geber, Tom & Deb Mortimer, Maria Giulia

Sunday, May 18th – SUNDAY JAZZ BRUNCH – Nassau Valley Vineyards in Lewes – 11:00 a.m. – Sample dozens of wines from around the world and some interesting cocktail creations and taste culinary cerations from a dozen area restaurants while meandering in Delaware’s first vineyard and enjoying sultry jazz entertainment.

The Beach….time for some R & R!!  Have a good one.

NOTE:  A Non-alcoholic event.  “Scrapplegasm” at Michele’s Restaurant in Dover…Saturday, May 17th.  The defining berakfast meat of the MidAtlantic gets redefined and served with all the “fixins”.  Menu Highlights:  Tempura Battered Biscuit Sliders, Buffalo and Duc Scrapple.   Chefs:  Mike Daniels, Chef Otto, Ludovic Bezy.

April 1st, 2014

Southern Delaware, Blue Skies, Cool Temperatures, Delaware Beaches, Hello Spring!!

Were you at the Delaware Beaches today?  Gorgeous, wasn’t it?  I was driving from Bethany Beach to Rehoboth Beach and I was thinking….how lucky if this road was your commute every single day.  It was for my husband.  No traffic, the Atlantic Ocean on one side and the Bay on the other.

The beautiful Indian River Bridge was bright today.  Have you seen in the evening?

Going through it and looking at the expansive views, is a scenery I love and never get tired of looking.

So many events and fun things to do while vacationing at the Delaware Beaches.  I live here and have not done it all.  Being on the beach is just the beginning….

FORT MILES was built in 1941.  This coastal fortification defended assets along the Delaware River and Bay such as oil refineries and factories, as well.  More info?  Please visit http://www.fortmiles.org.  The Fort Miles Historical Association is supporting this site; it is a nonprofit group that is preserving, protecting and defending all aspects of Fort Miles.  More info?  Please visit http://www.fortmilesha.org.  Discover Battery 519 on the 3rd Saturday of every month.  Tours start at 10:30 a.m., Noon and 1:30 p.m.  Call 302-645-0852 for more info.

DOGFISH HEAD has tours available Monday through Saturday.  The brewery is located at #6 Cannery Village Center in Milton, Delaware.  Tel. 302-684-1000.  This tour is worth going to.  So much fun and very informative.  You can also have a bite to eat while touring.  BunYan’s Lunchbox has beer infused brats, chowder and pickles.  Grab a brew and enjoy a little tasting.  It opens at 11 a.m. Monday through Saturday.  For tour info. check http://www.dogfish.com.

DINING DESTINATION….Southern Delaware is a dining destination.  From the Boardwalk Grub to five star gourmet dining.  Plenty of farmers’ markets give us the best…farm to table, always eating local.  To find out more, read my posts as reviews for the 2014 become available and also visit http://www.visitsoutherndelaware.com/culinarycoast.

LOCAL ON THE MENU…Southern Delaware prides itself in farm fresh food, grown locally.  To see a list of participating producers and restaurants, please visit http://www.localonthemenu.com.

REHOBOTH BEACH MUSEUM….I always say that this is a starting point whether you have been visiting Rehoboth Beach for years or your first time.  It is located at 511 Rehoboth Avenue by thye roundabout as you enter Rehoboth Beach, right by the Rehoboth Beach Chamber of Commerce and the Visitor’s Center.  Telephone 302-227-7310.  Check the exhibits by visiting http://www.rehobothbeachmuseum.org.  It is a very friendly museum….your kids would like it, as well.

As much as I love the ocean, I really have come to enjoy the bay so much.  Late afternoons just to sit on a beach chair, it is so relaxing.

On the Bay the sunsets are awesome!!  Spring is around the corner….it is in the air.  Have a good one.